U.S. patent application number 11/685188 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-05 for converting, navigating and displaying video content uploaded from the internet to a digital tv video-on-demand platform.
Invention is credited to Milton Diaz Perez.
Application Number | 20070157252 11/685188 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39760752 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070157252 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perez; Milton Diaz |
July 5, 2007 |
CONVERTING, NAVIGATING AND DISPLAYING VIDEO CONTENT UPLOADED FROM
THE INTERNET TO A DIGITAL TV VIDEO-ON-DEMAND PLATFORM
Abstract
Video content is uploaded via the Internet to a video-on-demand
(VOD) server identified by a title and a hierarchical address of
categories and subcategories for categorizing the title. The VOD
server converts and stores the video content at a storage address
in a video content database linked to the title. The title is
listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the
same categories and subcategories as in its hierarchical address.
Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its
categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV.
This can enable many, new blogging or podcasting-like programs by
popular "Hosts" to be self-published on the Internet and readily
navigated for display on TV. The EPG can also store TV program
addresses as bookmarks and allow them to be shared with other
subscribers or with friends and contacts online by sending to their
email addresses.
Inventors: |
Perez; Milton Diaz;
(Honolulu, HI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Leighton K. Chong;Patent Attorney
133 Kaai Street
Honolulu
HI
96821
US
|
Family ID: |
39760752 |
Appl. No.: |
11/685188 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10909192 |
Jul 30, 2004 |
|
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11685188 |
Mar 12, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/61 ;
348/E7.071; 725/86; 725/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4786 20130101;
H04N 21/25875 20130101; H04N 21/6175 20130101; H04N 21/85406
20130101; H04N 21/6125 20130101; H04N 21/25891 20130101; H04N
21/26291 20130101; H04N 21/2665 20130101; H04N 21/47214 20130101;
H04N 21/2547 20130101; H04N 21/4722 20130101; H04N 21/4758
20130101; H04N 21/64322 20130101; H04N 21/222 20130101; H04N
21/4312 20130101; H04N 21/4825 20130101; H04N 21/6379 20130101;
H04N 7/17318 20130101; H04N 21/4622 20130101; H04N 21/47202
20130101; H04N 21/812 20130101; H04N 21/4345 20130101; H04N 21/8186
20130101; H04N 21/239 20130101; H04N 21/4823 20130101; H04N 21/4821
20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04N 21/2393 20130101; H04N 21/8545
20130101; H04N 21/4753 20130101; H04N 21/41407 20130101; H04N 21/84
20130101; H04N 21/482 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/061 ;
725/087; 725/086 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/00 20060101
G06F003/00; H04N 7/173 20060101 H04N007/173; G06F 13/00 20060101
G06F013/00; H04N 5/445 20060101 H04N005/445 |
Claims
1. A method for converting, navigating and displaying video content
via a video-on-demand (VOD) platform of a digital TV service
provider comprising: (a) uploading video content in a digital video
format via an online network to a Web-based content management
server of the VOD platform of the digital TV service provider,
along with a title and a hierarchical address of
hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories as metadata
for categorizing the title for the video content; (b) converting
the content uploaded to the Web-based content management server
into a standard TV digital format and storing a "local instance"
thereof at a video ID (VID) address in a video content database of
the VOD platform, wherein the VID address is linked to the title
for the video content; (c) listing the title of the video content
in an electronic program guide using the same
hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories as in the
hierarchical address for the video content; (d) providing a TV
subscriber, having a TV-connected set-top box connected to the
digital TV service provider, with access to the electronic program
guide for navigating through the hierarchically-arranged categories
and subcategories therein in order to find the title of the video
content; and (e) upon the subscriber selecting, via a remote
control unit in communication with the set-top box, the title for
the video content from the hierarchically-arranged categories and
subcategories of the electronic program guide, then having the
set-top box transmit a request for the selected title to the VOD
platform in order to cause retrieval of the selected video content
stored at the VID address in the video content database of the VOD
platform linked thereto, and transmission of the selected video
content to the subscriber's set-top box for display on the
subscriber's TV.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the video content is
uploaded to the Web-based content management server of the VOD
platform from a user's computer connected to the online
network.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the video content is
uploaded to the Web-based content management server of the VOD
platform from a URL link to a website address from which the video
content is accessible.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the hierarchical address
comprises a string of category and subcategory terms and the title
delimited by standard delimiters that uniquely identifies the video
content and its location in the hierarchically-arranged categories
and subcategories of the electronic program guide.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the video content is a
hosted type of TV program presented by a "host" or "celebrity"
figure.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the hosted TV program is
layered in hierarchical layers of video segments, each layer being
linked by option linkages from a previous layer, for successive
viewing of layers in order to provide viewers with a "drill-down"
TV viewing experience of the hosted TV program.
7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the electronic program
guide enables the viewer to store the hierarchical address for a TV
program as a "bookmark" for again viewing the TV program.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the electronic program
guide provides the viewer with a bookmark storing function
accessable upon entry of a viewer ID identifying that viewer.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the bookmark storing
function enables the viewer to send a bookmark to the bookmark
storing function of another subscriber to the digital TV
system.
10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the bookmark storing
function enables the viewer to send a bookmark in email sent by the
Web-based content management server to the email address of a
contact addressable on the online network.
11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the bookmark storing
function enables the viewer to receive and store a bookmark
received by the Web-based content management server from email sent
by a contact on the online network.
12. A method of addressing video content stored on a
video-on-demand (VOD) platform comprising: (a) assigning a title
and a hierarchical address of hierarchically-arranged categories
and subcategories for categorizing the title for the video content;
(b) storing the video content in a video content database of the
VOD platform at a storage address linked to the title for the video
content; (c) listing the title of the video content in a location
in an electronic program guide using the same
hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories as in the
hierarchical address for the video content; and (d) addressing the
video content at its storage address in the video content database
of the VOD platform when its title is selected from the
hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories of the
electronic program guide.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the hierarchical
address comprises a string of category and subcategory terms and
the title delimited by standard delimiters that uniquely identifies
the video content and its location in the hierarchically-arranged
categories and subcategories of the electronic program guide.
14. A method according to claim 12, wherein the hierarchical
address is stored by a viewer as a "bookmark" for viewing the video
content as a TV program on the VOD platform.
15. A method according to claim 12, wherein the hierarchical
address is sent by a viewer as a "bookmark" to another viewer for
viewing the TV program on the VOD platform.
16. A method according to claim 12, wherein the hierarchical
address is sent by a viewer as a "bookmark" in email to the email
address of a contact addressable on an online network.
17. A method according to claim 12, wherein the hierarchical
address is received in email by a viewer as a "bookmark" for
viewing the TV program on the VOD platform.
18. An electronic program guide for addressing video content stored
on a video-on-demand (VOD) platform comprising: (a) each item of
video content being assigned a title and a hierarchical address of
hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories for
categorizing the title for the video content; (b) the video content
being stored in a video content database of the VOD platform at a
storage address linked to the title for the video content; (c) the
title of the video content being listed in a location in the
electronic program guide using the same hierarchically-arranged
categories and subcategories as in the hierarchical address for the
video content; and (d) the video content being retrieved from the
video content database of the VOD platform when its title is
selected by a viewer from the hierarchically-arranged categories
and subcategories of the electronic program guide.
19. An electronic program guide according to claim 18, wherein the
hierarchical address comprises a string of category and subcategory
terms and the title delimited by standard delimiters that uniquely
identifies the video content and its location in the
hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories of the
electronic program guide.
20. An electronic program guide according to claim 18, having a
bookmark storing function for storing the hierarchical address of
the video content as a "bookmark" for viewing the video content as
a TV program on the VOD platform.
Description
[0001] This U.S. patent application is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/909,192 filed on Jul. 30, 2004,
by the same inventor, entitled "System and Method for Managing,
Converting and Displaying Video Content on a Video-on-Demand
Platform, Including Ads Used for Drill-Down Navigation &
Consumer-Generated Classified Ads".
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention generally relates to the provision of video
content to viewers through digital TV infrastructure, and more
particularly, to converting, navigating and displaying video
content uploaded from the Internet on a digital TV video-on-demand
platform.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Cable television (CATV) systems are used to deliver
television services to a vast majority of TV-viewing homes in the
U.S. and other technologically advanced countries. The typical CATV
system has a cable service provider head end equipped with video
servers to transmit CATV program signals through distribution cable
lines to local nodes and from there to TV subscriber homes. Within
the subscriber homes, the CATV input TV line is connected to one or
more customer-premises TVs which are coupled to external set-top
boxes for channel tuning or are equipped with internal cable
channel tuners. CATV service providers employ the spacious 1 GHz
bandwidth of the typical cable (RG-6) line to carry tens of analog
TV channels in the portion of the cable bandwidth allocated to
analog TV signals. With digital multiplexing methods such as QAM,
hundreds of digital TV signals can be carried simultaneously in the
portion of the cable bandwidth allocated to digital TV signals.
Cable TV service providers have also allocated portions of the
cable bandwidth for user (return) data, broadband data connection,
and voice-over-IP (VoIP) digital telephone service.
[0004] Cable TV service providers generally offer subscribers to
subscribe to any of several tiers of bundled TV services on a scale
with increasing rates in accordance with signal quality, TV program
offerings, and types of interactive services. Digital TV services
are offered through advanced digital set-top boxes that are
individually addressable from the CATV head end, and also allow
subscribers various interactive functions with the CATV head end
via inputs to the set-top box via the remote control unit for
transmission on the return data path to the CATV head end.
[0005] A recent type of interactive television service offered on
digital TV systems is referred to generally as a "video-on-demand"
(VOD) system, wherein a viewer can navigate through a program guide
via the remote control unit and send a request via the set-top box
for a desired video program to be addressed from the head-end to
the subscriber's set-top box for display on the TV. Different types
of VOD programs are typically bundled as a package and offered on
different VOD "channels". For example, a VOD "channel" can offer
on-demand movies and videos, replay sports events, infomercials,
advertisements, music videos, short-subjects, and even individual
TV "pages". VOD-based interactive television services generally
allow a viewer to use the remote control to cursor through an
on-screen menu and select from a variety of titles for stored video
programs for individual viewing on demand. Advanced remote control
units include button controls with VCR-like functions that enable
the viewer to start, stop, pause, rewind, or replay a selected
video program or segment. In the future, VOD-based interactive
television services may be integrated with or delivered with other
advanced interactive television services, such as webpage browsing,
e-mail, television purchase ("t-commerce") transactions, and
multimedia delivery.
[0006] Digital cable TV is currently the most prevalent system for
offering digital TV services to home TV subscribers. However, other
types of digital carriers offering broadband connections to
subscriber homes have entered into competition with cable TV
providers by offering digital TV services over their broadband
connections. Examples of other broadband connections include DSL
telephone lines, local area broadband networks, and wireless
broadband networks. Digital television services offered on such
broadband connections employ the TCP/IP data transport protocol and
are referred to as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). Instead of
multi-casting all TV program signals into a cable line, the typical
IPTV system will respond to a subscriber's request for a particular
TV channel or video program by transmitting the video content
individually to the subscriber's individually addressable, digital
set top box at high speeds. IPTV and digital cable TV both transmit
digital video in packetized data streams within closed, proprietary
broadband systems; however, IPTV uses the Internet Protocol (IP) to
structure, route and deliver the digital video packets within an
IPTV system.
[0007] With the increasing interactive functionality and customer
reach of interactive television services, advertisers and content
providers are find it increasingly attractive to employ on-demand
advertising, on-demand program content, and on-demand TV
transactions for home viewers. VOD content delivery platforms are
being designed to seamlessly and conveniently deliver a wide range
of types of advertising, video content, and transaction services on
demand to home viewers. VOD content offerings are expected to
increase dramatically from a few "channels" with a few score or
hundred "titles" listed on each today to scores or hundreds of
channels with thousands if not millions of titles on each in the
foreseeable future. The VOD platform thus offers a gateway for
greatly expanding TV viewing from a relatively small number of
studio-produced program channels to a large number of new
commercial publishers and ultimately a vast number of
self-publishers or so-called "citizen" content publishers. It is
deemed desirable to find a way for such vast numbers of content
publishers to transmit their programs to the home TV, and to enable
home TV viewers to find something of interest for viewing among the
vast numbers of new programs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a method for
converting, navigating and displaying video content via a
video-on-demand (VOD) platform of a digital TV service provider
comprises:
[0009] (a) uploading video content in a digital video format via an
online network to a Web-based content management server of the VOD
platform of the digital TV service provider, along with a title and
a hierarchical addressing tag of hierarchically-arranged categories
and subcategories for categorizing the title for the video
content;
[0010] (b) converting the content uploaded to the Web-based content
management server into a standard TV digital format and storing a
"local instance" thereof at a video ID (VID) address in a video
content database of the VOD platform, wherein the VID address is
linked to the metadata title for the video content;
[0011] (c) listing the title of the video content in an electronic
program guide of the VOD platform following the same
hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories as the
hierarchical addressing tag of the video content;
[0012] (d) providing a TV subscriber, having a TV-connected set-top
box addressable by the digital TV service provider, with access to
the electronic program guide for navigating through the
hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories therein in
order to find the title of the video content; and
[0013] (e) upon the subscriber selecting, via a remote control unit
in communication with the set-top box, the title of the video
content from the hierarchically-arranged categories and
subcategories of the electronic program guide, then transmitting a
return request for the selected title to the VOD platform for
retrieving the video content stored at the linked VID address in
the video content database of the VOD platform, and transmitting
the video content to the subscriber's set-top box for display on
the subscriber's TV.
[0014] By the method of the present invention, video content can be
published for viewing on home TV with any digital TV service
provider by uploading from any node or publishing site on the
Internet to the provider's Web-based content management server. The
title of the program becomes automatically listed in the electronic
program guide (EPG) following the same hierarchical categorization
addressing indicated by the publisher of the content. Typically,
the publisher will select the categories and subcategories for
categorizing the title of the video content from a standard
categorization hierarchy used by the digital television service
provider for listing titles to be offered on its VOD platform. With
this method, vast numbers of content publishers anywhere on the
Internet can upload their programs to digital television service
providers for viewing on the home TV, and home TV viewers can
readily find something of interest for viewing among the vast
numbers of new programs by navigating through the hierarchical
addressing scheme of the provider's EPG.
[0015] In particular, the invention method provides a convenient
and substantially automatic vehicle for bringing large numbers of
new blogging and podcasting-like programs to TV viewing. Such a
blogging or podcasting-like program is typically presented in the
video content by a "host" or "celebrity" who has been identified,
or can be voted on by viewers, as a popular "Host". The Host acts
as a filter, reviewer, rater, and/or analyst to bring information
of value to viewers from the plethora of content populating the
viewing landscape. The Host can also serve to link the viewer to
other Host programs or other VOD-listed programs, for example, by
on-screen directing of the viewer to a menu of options selectable
by corresponding option keys on the remote control unit. As an
added feature, the EPG can be configured to enable a viewer to
store bookmarks for desired VOD-listed TV programs for viewing
again or with friends. The viewer's bookmarks can also be shared
with other subscribers via an on-screen Contact List maintained for
each viewer, and/or shared with others online by the provider
enabling transmission of the bookmark data from the VOD platform to
the viewer's email address or other online address.
[0016] The capability for Internet uploading and automatic listing
in any VOD EPG opens VOD programming to a greatly expanded field of
non-studio TV program publishers. The digital TV service provider
can charge program placement fees that are paid by the publisher,
advertiser, and/or sponsor. With future expansion of VOD "channel"
capacity, the system can be opened to "citizen" publishers and paid
for by program advertisers or sponsors and/or by viewer "Premium
(VOD) Services" fees.
[0017] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the invention are described in further detail below in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1A is a diagram of an overall architecture for a VOD
Content Delivery System in accordance with the present invention,
FIG. 1B shows an example of templatized Drill-Down Ad navigation,
and FIG. 1C shows an example of the templatized ad display
model.
[0019] FIG. 2A is a process flow diagram of the overall
architecture of a Classified Ad application for the VOD Content
Delivery System, FIG. 2B illustrates a Content Management Website
for the Classified Ad application, FIG. 2C illustrates a Content
Screening Component of the system, and FIG. 2D illustrates a
Content Feed and Conversion Components of the system.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a VOD Content Delivery System adapted
to Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) system.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process flow for enabling
content publishers on the Internet to upload video content to
digital television service providers for viewing on the home
TV.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a blogging or
podcasting-like program presented by a "Host" with layered topics
and links to other programs.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the logic flow for using an
EPG to enable a viewer to store TV bookmarks for desired VOD-listed
TV programs.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of sharing TV
bookmarks with other TV subscribers via an on-screen Contact List
maintained for the viewer.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of sharing TV
bookmarks with others on the Internet by transmission of bookmark
data to the viewer's email address.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0026] The following description describes one preferred embodiment
for implementation of the invention in which the digital television
service provider is one employing cable TV infrastructure. However,
it is to be understood that the principles of the invention are
equally applicable to other types of digital television service
providers offering digital TV services over other broadband
connections such as DSL telephone lines, local area broadband
networks, and wireless broadband networks. Similarly, certain
examples of VOD applications are described herein, e.g.,
advertisements that are navigated in "drill-down" fashion, and the
uploading of consumer-generated classified ads to be viewed as TV
classified ads. However, many other types of video content may be
used in programming with this system.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1A, an overall system architecture for a
VOD content delivery system includes a VOD Application Server 10
located at a Cable Head End. The VOD Application Server manages a
Database 11 of templates and video content segments from Video
Server 12 for generating templatized VOD content. The VOD content
is generated in response to a viewer request signal transmitted
from the Digital Set Top Box 21 of a viewer's TV equipment through
the Digital Cable Television System 13 to the VOD Application
Server 10 at the Cable Head End. The VOD Application Server 10 may
be of the type which enables any compatibly-developed VOD
applications to be loaded on and operated on the server. An example
of such a VOD Application Server is the Navic N-Band.TM. server,
offered by Navic Systems, Inc., d/b/a Navic Networks, of Needham,
Mass. This is an integrated system which provides an application
development platform for third party application developers to
develop new VOD service applications, viewer interfaces, and
ancillary interactive services for deployment on VOD channels of
CATV operators in cable service areas throughout the U.S. A
detailed description of the Navic N-Band system is contained in
U.S. patent application 2002/066,106, filed on May 30, 2002, which
is incorporated herein by reference.
[0028] Templates for displaying VOD content are created at an
Application Data Center 30 and stored in the Database 11 for use by
the operative VOD application. The templates may be designed, for
example, to present video ad content displays in a logo frame, or
to provide navigation buttons and viewer selection options in a
frame around currently displayed video content. In the preferred
embodiment described in greater detail below, the templates are
used to provide navigation aids in a series of progressively more
focused ad display types. A Video Content Encoder 31 is used to
encode raw video feeds into formatted video content segments
compatible with the VOD platform and supply them through a Video
Content Distribution Network 14 to the Video Server 12.
[0029] In operation, the VOD Application Server 10 operates a VOD
application for the CATV system, for example, "automobile
infomercials on demand". The viewer sends a request for selected
VOD content, such as to see an infomercial on a specific model type
made by a specific auto manufacturer, by actuating a viewer request
signal by a key press on the viewer's remote control unit
transmitting an IR signal to the Set Top Box 21 that is sent on a
back channel of the Digital Cable Television System 13 to the VOD
Application Server 10 at the Cable Head End. In response to the
signal, the VOD Application Server 10 determines the VOD content
being requested and retrieves the infomercial ad display template
from the Template Database 11 and video content segment from the
Video Server 12, in order to generate the corresponding templatized
VOD content. In the invention, the templates are of different types
ordered in a hierarchy, and display of content in a template of a
higher order includes links the viewer can select to content of a
lower order in the hierarchy. Upon selecting a link using the
remote control, the VOD Application Server retrieves the template
and video content of lower order and displays it to the viewer.
Each successive templatized display may have further links to
successively lower levels of content in the hierarchy, such that
the viewer can use the series of linked templatized VOD displays as
a "drill-down navigation" method to find specific end content of
interest.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1B, a preferred embodiment of the
templatized VOD content delivery system is shown providing a User
Interface using Drill-Down Navigation through display ads, such as
for automobile infomercials. When the viewer selects a VOD
application (channel), such as "Wheels-On-Demand", the viewer's TV
displays a Main Menu with buttons inviting the viewer to "Select
Category". The viewer can select an "Auto" category, and the TV
then displays an "Auto" menu with buttons inviting the viewer to
"Select Make", such as Make A, Make B, etc. When the viewer makes a
selection, such as Make A, the viewer's TV displays a further menu
that is a Gateway into templatized VOD content delivery which
enables Drill-Down Navigation by templatized display ads. Through
the Gateway, the VOD Application leaves the Menu mode and enters
the Drill Down Navigation mode for successively displays of
hierarchically-ordered video content which allow the viewer to
navigate to progressively more focused content. In this example,
the highest level of the hierarchy includes categories for Model,
Local Dealer, Sales Events, and/or Inventory. When the viewer
selects a category such as "Model" from the Gateway, for example,
the VOD Application creates a templatized ad display showing video
content generic to all models by that automaker framed in a frame
which has links (buttons or choices) for a list of the specific
models made by that automaker. When the viewer selects the link to
a specific model, "Model A" for example, the VOD Application
creates a templatized ad display showing video content for Model A,
and the viewer can then choose to run a long-form infomercial of
the Model A video. Alternateively, the Drill-Down Navigation can
continue with further levels of specificity, such as "Custom
Packages", "Options", "Colors/Stylings", etc. Similarly, the
selection of the "Local Dealer" category from the Gateway can bring
up a templatized ad for local dealers with links to specific local
dealers in the viewer's cable service area, and a click on a
specific "Dealer A" can bring up a templatized ad for Dealer A with
further links to more specific content pertaining to Dealer A, such
as "Current Sales Promotions", etc.
[0031] In this manner, the templatized VOD content delivery system
allows the viewer to navigate to specific content of high interest
to the viewer using the Drill-Down ads as a navigation tool, while
at the same time having a unique visual experience of moving
through a series of ads mirroring the viewer's path to the subject
of interest. The templatized VOD ads are generated dynamically by
searching the Content/Template database with each request by a
viewer, enabling the system to display updated navigation choices
and content simply by updating the database with updated links and
video content. For example, if the Auto Maker changes the Model
types of autos currently available, or if Local Dealer A changes
its current sales promotions for autos currently available, that
advertiser's ads can be updated with new, template frame navigation
links and content, instead of entirely new ads or screen displays
having to be shot, produced, contracted, delivered, and programmed
with the cable TV company. Many other types of layered or indepth
ads, subjects, and interactive TV applications can be enabled with
the use of the Drill-Down Navigation method. The selections or
preferences exhibited by viewer navigation paths through the
Drill-Down Navigation can also be tracked, profiled, and/or
targeted as feedback data to advertisers for fine-tuning Drill-Down
Navigation designs.
[0032] In FIG. 1C, an example illustrates how a templatized VOD
display is generated in layers. A Background screen provides a
basic color, logo, or graphical theme to the display. A selected
Template (display frame) appropriate to the navigation level the
intended display resides on is layered on the Background. The
Template typically has a frame in which defined areas are reserved
for text, display image(s), and navigation links (buttons).
Finally, the desired content constituted by associated Text, Image
& Buttons is retrieved from the database and layered on the
Template. The resulting screen display shows the combined
background logo or theme, navigation frame, and text, video images,
and buttons
[0033] Referring again to FIG. 1A, a Tracking System 15 of
conventional type can be installed at the Cable Head End to
aggregate non-personal data on what channels and programs viewers
watch. For the Drill Down Navigation method, the Tracking System 15
can include tracking of the navigation paths viewers use to find
subjects of interest in a VOD Application. The aggregation of
viewer navigation data can indicate what subjects are most popular,
whether some subjects are of greater interest to viewers at certain
times of day, of certain demographics, or in relation to certain
products or services. The VOD Application Server 10 can export the
aggregated viewer navigation data to an external Profiling System
16, such as a non-biased or unrelated firm applying profile
analysis methods. The results of the Profiling System 16 can be
communicated to a Targeting System 17, such as a template design
firm or content production company, to fine-tune the presentation
of the templatized VOD content consistent with viewer preferences
or interests. The feedback from the Targeting System can be
supplied as feedback to the VOD Application Server to modify the
Content/Template Database 11.
[0034] Another application for the templatized VOD content delivery
system can be developed to support video advertisements which link
national to local market ad campaigns in "drill-down" fashion.
Advertisers, both national and local, can pay for placement of
their video advertisements on the system. When the VOD Application
is run, the national ads are displayed as a Gateway to linking to
the local market ads. In this manner, national ads can be used to
transition viewers from general interest in a product to finding
specific information about the product available locally.
[0035] The templatized VOD content delivery system can also support
"traffic building" videos, including music videos, that may not
generate direct revenue. Once a video is encoded and registered
into the system, the management and distribution of the video is
conducted through software systems and automated controls. The User
Interface provides the user with the ability to navigate and find
desired video content. Selection of a category presents the user
with a list of video titles available for playback. Categories and
title lists can be generated using real-time database queries,
allowing for database-driven management of content within the User
Interface. The User Interface can also support a search interface
which allows the user to search the video content database to
generate a list of video titles with specific characteristics.
[0036] As another aspect of the present invention, a VOD content
delivery system may be adapted to offer consumer-generated
classified ads on TV. The VOD content delivery system is provided
with a Content Management frontend to receive consumer input and
convert it to video display ads maintained in the system database.
Referring to FIG. 2A, a system for managing, converting and
displaying individual consumer-generated ads on a VOD content
delivery system has a Web-based Content Management System 40 for
enabling an individual user to upload content from their computer
via a web browser to display a consumer-generated video ad on TV.
The uploaded content includes meta data for classifying the video
ad by title and topical area(s). A Content Screening System 41 is
used for screening the content input by the individual user, such
as by performing automatic searching for objectionable text, audio,
video and/or images and rejecting the content if found
objectionable.
[0037] A Content Feed System 42 is used to automatically transfer
consumer-generated content screened through the Content Screening
System 41 to a Content Conversion System 43. This system
automatically converts the consumer-generated content supplied by
the Content Feed System 42 into video display format compatible
with the VOD content delivery system. The converted video ad is
indexed by title and classified topical areas according to the meta
data supplied by the user, in accordance with the indexing system
maintained by the Content Management System. The VOD Content
Delivery System 44 operates a Classified Ads VOD Application in
which menus for finding classified ads are navigated by viewers,
and specific classified ads are delivered through the Digital Cable
Television System for display as video ads on the viewer's TV
equipment in response to viewer request input by remote control to
the Digital Set Top Box 21, as described previously with respect to
the operation of the general VOD platform.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 2B, the Web-based Content Management
System 40 includes a plurality of functional components to allow
consumers to create and manage their own classified ads as
interactive television content, as well as pay for the distribution
of their content within the digital cable television system. A
Classified Management Application 50 is used to receive
consumer-input content, have it screened (by the Content Screening
System 41, not shown), and store it in the Classified Metadata,
Image and Video Database 51. Consumer payment for running video ads
is handled by the Transaction Processing Component 53. Also
included in the Content Management System is an Account Management
Component 55 and Account & Permissions Database 56 for
management of user accounts for use of the web-based TV Classified
Ads system. A Bulletin Board Ads application may be operated in
parallel with the TV Classified Ads application. A Bulletin Board
Management Application 54 and Database 57 enable the creation and
management of consumer-generated content relating to public
announcements and other items of general interest for groups,
organizations or topics. The preferred VOD Content Delivery System
uses templatized VOD content, and a Template Library 58 is used to
store templates for both the Classified Ads and Bulletin Board Ads
applications.
[0039] The Account Management Component controls the access by
persons to the web-based Content Management System. The Account
Management Component identifies persons accessing the system for
the first time and allows these persons to register and create an
account by providing an account name, password, credit card
information and other information required for the payment of fees.
The Account Management Component controls the access by registered
users to their accounts and manages the privileges and security
associated to all accounts. Persons may create accounts for the
creation and management of Classified Ads. Accounts capable of
accessing the Bulletin Board Management Application may also be
assigned by a system administrator in the Account Management
Component. Any account capable of accessing the Bulletin Board
application can then create and manage bulletin board ads for the
assigned bulletin boards.
[0040] The Classified Content Management System enables users to
upload text, audio, video, and/or image files for classified ads in
industry-standard file formats and have it converted into video
display ads compatible with the VOD Content Delivery System.
Classified ads are searched on the viewer's TV equipment by menus
and lists indexed by title and topical areas corresponding to the
metadata associated with the classified ads content. Selection of a
listed item results in the display of a TV display ad containing
uploaded text, images, video and/or audio. Users pay listing fees
to the operator of the system for maintaining and displaying the
classified ads on the digital cable television system.
[0041] Significant features of the Classified Ads Content
Management System include: (a) the ability to enter descriptive
data and text regarding the item; (b) uploading digital images of
the item to the Content Management System; (c) uploading digital
video of the item to the Content Management System; (d) uploading
digital audio regarding the item to the Content Management System;
(e) automated size and resolution processing of digital images
uploaded to the system; (f) automated digital format conversion of
digital video uploaded to the system; (g) automated digital format
conversion of digital audio uploaded to the system; (h) ability for
users to select an interactive television screen design (template)
from a catalog of available templates; (i) ability to view on a web
browser the interactive television template containing the
consumer-provided content; (j) ability to save classified content
in persistent memory or storage for subsequent modification; (k)
ability to mark classified content as completed and ready for
submission to the interactive television system; (l) ability to
specify the date and time when a classified content item is to
become accessible by users of the interactive television system and
the data and time when a classified content item is to be removed
from display on the interactive television system; (m) ability to
notify the user through email or other communication system that a
specific content item is scheduled to be displayed or removed from
the interactive television system; (n) ability to modify and
resubmit previously created classified content for display on the
interactive television system; (o) ability to access viewing data
generated by the Tracking System regarding access and use of
specific consumer-generated content by users of the interactive
television system; and (p) ability to calculate fees for classified
content and submit payment of the fees using the Transaction
Processing system.
[0042] As noted in (i) above, the Classified Content Management
System allows the user to view the content they have composed using
the templates. The templates are designed specifically for use on
interactive television systems and the user is able to view on the
web-interface their content as composed for presentation on
television. As noted in (j) above, the Classified Content
Management System allows the persistent storage of classified
content; although the user is composing interactive television
pages using a template system, the content is persistently stored
as individual elements to simplify changes by the user and to allow
the conversion of the content to different formats as required by
different interactive television systems.
[0043] The Bulletin Board Content Management System provides the
users of the web-based Content Management System with content
creation and content management tools for the creation and
maintenance of consumer-generated content related to announcements
and other informational items of general interest. Bulletin Board
content is displayed on the interactive television system as
dedicated interactive television screens (bulletin boards), where
approved groups, organizations or topics are each assigned a
bulletin board for the display of their information. Bulletin Board
content is displayed as list items organized within a bulletin
board; selection of a list item results in the display of an
interactive television screen containing or providing access to the
descriptive data, text, images, video and audio regarding the
item.
[0044] An alternative implementation of a Bulletin Board can
display the content as scrolling text, where the user scrolls
through the text, or the text scrolls automatically. Bulletin Board
accounts will pay fees determined by the operator of the system for
the distribution of the bulletin board content on the interactive
television system for display on the digital cable television
system. Significant features of the Bulletin Board Content
Management System include: (a) the ability to enter descriptive
data and text regarding the item; (b) upload digital images to the
content management; (c) upload digital video to the content
management system; (d) upload digital audio to the content
management system; (e) automated size and resolution processing of
digital images uploaded to the system; (f) automated digital format
conversion of digital video uploaded to the system; (g) automated
digital format conversion of digital audio uploaded to the system;
(h) ability for users to select an interactive television screen
design (template) from a catalog of available templates; (i)
ability to view on a web browser the interactive television
template containing the consumer-provided bulletin board content;
(j) ability to save bulletin board content in persistent memory or
storage for subsequent modification; (k) ability to mark bulletin
board content as completed and ready for submission to the
interactive television system; (l) ability to specify the date and
time when specific bulletin board content is to become accessible
by users of the interactive television system and the data and time
when specific bulletin board content is to be removed from display
on the interactive television system; (m) ability to notify the
user through email or other communication system that specific
bulletin board content is scheduled to be displayed or removed from
the interactive television system; (n) ability to modify and
resubmit previously created bulletin board content for display on
the interactive television system; (o) ability to access viewing
data generated by the Tracking System regarding access and use of
specific bulletin board content by users of the interactive
television system; and (p) ability to calculate fees for bulletin
board content and submit payment of the fees in conjunction with
the Transaction Processing component.
[0045] The Transaction Processing component allows users of the
Classified Content Management System and Bulletin Board Content
Management System to determine and pay for any fees resulting from
their use of these systems. The Transaction Processing component
will allow users to pay for fees using credit cards or other
supported payment methods. Significant features of the Transaction
Processing component include: (a) ability to maintain business
rules for use by the Transaction Processing system to determine
fees based on user type and content type; (b) ability to maintain
business rules for one or more payment methods for use by the
Transaction Processing system in handling the settlement of fees;
(c) ability to maintain business rules for user account and payment
settlement conditions such as delinquency and lack-of-credit for
use by the Transaction Processing system in determining user
account privileges and content status; and, (d) ability to process
payment of fees in real-time for payment methods that support
real-time settlement.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 2C, the Content Screening System (41) is
comprised of a Text Screening Application 60 which searches for
objectionable words or phrases, an Image Screening Application 61
which searches for objectionable graphic images, a Video Screening
Application 62 which searches for objectionable images or audio
words or phrases in video segments, and an Audio Screening
Application 63 which searches for objectionable words or phrases in
audio segments. The Content Screening System can be used for both
Classified Ads content and Bulletin Board content. Content that has
been screened by the Content Screening System is then transferred
to the aforementioned Classified Ads Database 51 or the Bulletin
Board Content Database 57. The system also has component 64 for
Editorial and Customer Service Functions for Classified Ads, and
component 65 similarly for Bulletin Board content. These can each
include an Email Function to send confirmations of input, reasons
for rejection of posting, suggested corrections, further
processing, and posting of content to consumers using the
system.
[0047] Significant features of the Content Screening System
include: (a) ability to maintain a library of objectionable or
illegal words and phrases for use in the screening of text; (b)
ability to perform automated analysis of user content text using
the text library as an input and alert system administration
personnel to the use of objectionable or illegal content and the
use of unknown and suspect words or phrases; (c) ability to
maintain a library of objectionable or illegal image elements for
use in the screening of images; (d) ability to perform automated
image recognition analysis against user content images using the
library of image elements as an input and alert system
administration personnel to the use of objectionable or illegal
content; (e) ability to maintain a library of objectionable or
illegal image elements for use in the screening of video; (f)
ability to perform automated image recognition analysis against
user content video using the library of image elements as an input
and alert system administration personnel to the use of
objectionable or illegal content; (g) ability to maintain a library
of objectionable or illegal audio elements for use in the screening
of audio; (h) ability to perform automated audio analysis against
user content audio using the library of audio elements as an input
and alert system administration personnel to the use of
objectionable or illegal content; and (i) ability to save screened
content in persistent memory or storage for subsequent processing.
Content Screening is automatically performed with the Content
Management System 40 during the user process of submitting and/or
creating consumer-generated content or may be performed as a
process subsequent to the creation of content by the user.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 2D, the Content Feed System 42 and the
Content Conversion System 43 provide for the transfer of user
content from the Content Screening System and conversion to video
content format compatible with the VOD Content Delivery System 44.
The Content Feed System 42 has a Content Selection/Date Filtering
Application which selects consumer-generated content uploaded to
the system that is within the dates contracted for posting and
display of the content as Classified Ads or on Bulletin Boards.
Content within the active date range is transferred to the Active
Classified Ads Database 71A or the Active Bulletin Board Database
71B.
[0049] The Content Conversion System receives consumer-generated
content in industry-standard formats or created in viewable format
(HTML) on the web-based input system and converts the content into
formats compatible with the VOD Content Delivery System and for
display on viewers' televisions. The Content Conversion System 43
has an Image Conversion Application 72 which converts
consumer-uploaded image files (in industry-standard formats such as
JPEG, GIF, TIFF, BMP, PDF, PPT, etc.) into VOD content format, a
Video Conversion Application 73 which converts consumer-uploaded
video files into VOD content format, and an Audio Conversion
Application 74 which converts consumer-uploaded audio files into
VOD content format. Content converted to VOD content format is
stored in the Active Converted Classified Ads Database 75A or the
Active Converted Bulletin Board Database 75B. The content is
subject to a further Production Push Function 76A, 76B and stored
in the Production Classified Ads Database 77A or the Production
Bulletin Board Database 77B, if any presentation formatting, date
stamping, template framing, or other system editing is required by
the system.
[0050] Significant features of the Content Feed System include: (a)
ability to select user content for submission to the Content
Conversion System through the testing of appropriate parameters
including the date and time information contained in the user
content; (b) ability to appropriately package the elements of the
user content to permit the efficient transfer of these content
elements to the Content Conversion System through an Application
Program Interface or other interface; (c) ability to create,
maintain and execute a schedule for when the Content Feed System
will execute on an automatic basis for the automatic transfer of
consumer-generated content to the Content Conversion System; and,
(d) ability to execute the functions of the Content Feed System on
a manual basis in the presence or absence of a schedule. The
Content Feed System may be able to package and distribute content
to single or multiple Content Conversion Systems.
[0051] Significant features of the Content Conversion system
include: (a) ability to receive content packages delivered by the
Content Feed System through an Application Program Interface or
other interface; (b) ability to process the elements of
consumer-generated content into data, text, graphic, video and
audio elements that are compatible with the interactive television
system and maintain the content presentation created by the user on
the web-based Content Management System; (c) ability to save
reformatted content in persistent memory or storage for subsequent
distribution and use by the interactive television system; and, (d)
ability to inform the interactive television system that
consumer-generated content is available for distribution and use.
The Content Conversion System may be added as a component system of
the VOD Content Delivery System, or it may be implemented as a
wholly separate system that connects to the VOD Content Delivery
System through an Application Program Interface or other interface.
When implemented as a system that is separate from the VOD Content
Delivery System, it is possible to support multiple, different
interactive television systems by either (a) incorporating multiple
formatting requirements into a single instance of the Content
Conversion System or (b) creating multiple Content Conversion
Systems, each supporting the formatting requirements for a specific
interactive television system. Either implementation allows for a
single instance of consumer-generated content that is created and
maintained using the web-based Content Management System to be
distributed and displayed on multiple, different interactive
television systems with different formatting requirements.
[0052] The VOD Content Delivery System 44, as described previously,
provides for the distribution of screened, converted, properly
formatted consumer-generated content to viewers' televisions,
typically through the use of digital set-top boxes connected to a
digital cable television system capable of supporting real-time
two-way data transfer between the set-top box and the Cable Head
End. Significant features of the VOD Content Delivery System
include: (a) ability to receive properly formatted content from the
Content Conversion System; (b) ability to distribute said content
over a digital cable television system and display this content on
television as an interactive television presentation; (c) ability
to receive user commands generated by an infrared remote control
device, keyboard or other device; (d) ability to respond to the
user commands by displaying appropriate content or executing
desired functionality; and, (e) ability to generate and collect
data regarding the user sessions and the viewing data regarding
consumer-generated content on the interactive television system and
make this data accessible to the Tracking System. The VOD Content
Delivery System can employ templatized VOD content delivery, as
described previously with respect to FIG. 1A, enabling use of the
Drill Down Navigation method in which viewers can navigate visually
through classified ad hierarchical categories to specific titles or
content.
[0053] The VOD Content Delivery System for the Classified Ads
application can also employ the Tracking System 15 for the
collection and consolidation of viewing data generated by the
interactive television system and the generation of reports against
this viewing data. For example, the Tracking System can track the
number of viewer requests for viewing that a classified ad received
in a given period and calculate billing charges accordingly. The
Tracking System can make this information available to users of the
Content Management System as well as to system administrative
personnel performing general analysis of interactive television
services and associated content. Significant features of the
Tracking System include: (a) ability to access and process the data
generated by the Classified Ads application; (b) ability to form
summaries of the viewing data against desired parameters; (c)
ability to save data, summaries and reports in persistent memory or
storage for subsequent modification or access; (d) ability to make
data, summaries and reports accessible by users of the web-based
Content Management System, restricting the data accessible by any
specific user to data regarding the content created by that user
account on the Content Management System; and, (e) ability to make
data, summaries and reports accessible by to system administration
personnel.
[0054] As another aspect of the present invention, implementation
of a VOD content delivery system can be made on any digital
television system that supports real-time two-way data transfer and
interactivity between the digital Set Top Box and application
servers and VOD servers located at headends or other service points
within the television system network. An alternative digital
television system of increasing importance in the marketplace is
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). IPTV is a system for
delivering video content, both broadcast and Video on Demand, to
digital set top boxes and other devices. IPTV and digital cable
both transmit digital video in packetized data streams within
closed, proprietary broadband systems; however, IPTV uses Internet
Protocol (IP) to structure, route and deliver the digital video
packets within an IPTV system.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 3, an alternative implementation for a VOD
content delivery system is illustrated for an IPTV system. The
components of the VOD content delivery system listed in the figure
are similar to those in FIG. 1A. However, FIG. 3 illustrates the
terminology and network architecture of an IPTV system as used for
the purposes of this invention. The VOD Application Server 10,
Content/Template Database 11, Video Server 12 and Tracking System
15 are located in the IPTV Service Node; the IPTV Service Node is
equivalent to the Cable Headend in FIG. 1A. Systems external to the
IPTV Service Node such as the Application Data Center 30, Profiling
System 16, Targeting System 17 and Video Content Distribution
Network 14 connect to their associated VOD Content Delivery System
components housed within the IPTV Service Node in manners similar
to those used in a digital cable system implementation. IPTV
systems can use multiple network technologies within their closed,
proprietary broadband network. Core and Access Network 78 are
high-bandwidth networks connecting IPTV Service Nodes in order to
support the central transport of video streams. The Core and Access
Network 78 feed the Customer Access Network 79, which supports the
physical network connection into the customer premise and connects
to the IPTV Digital Set Top Box 80. The combination of the Core and
Access Network 78 and Customer Access Network 79 is the functional
equivalent of the Digital Cable Television System 13 in FIG.
1A.
[0056] In operation, the VOD Content Delivery System implementation
for IPTV is identical to the digital cable implementation. The VOD
Application Server 10 operates a VOD application for the IPTV
system, for example, "automobile infomercials on demand". The
viewer sends a request for selected VOD content, such as to see an
infomercial on a specific model type made by a specific auto
manufacturer, by actuating a viewer request signal by a key press
on the viewer's remote control unit transmitting an IR signal to
the IPTV Digital Set Top Box 80 that is sent on as IP-encapsulated
message through the IPTV System to the VOD Application Server 10 at
the IPTV Service Node. In response to the signal, the VOD
Application Server 10 determines the VOD content being requested
and retrieves the infomercial ad display template from the Template
Database 11 and video content segment from the Video Server 12, in
order to generate the corresponding templatized VOD content. In the
invention, the templates are of different types ordered in a
hierarchy, and display of content in a template of a higher order
includes links the viewer can select to content of a lower order in
the hierarchy. Upon selecting a link using the remote control, the
VOD Application Server 10 retrieves the template and video content
of lower order and displays it to the viewer. Each successive
templatized display may have further links to successively lower
levels of content in the hierarchy, such that the viewer can use
the series of linked templatized VOD displays as a "drill-down
navigation" method to find specific end content of interest.
[0057] Similarly, all previously mentioned adaptations of the VOD
Content Delivery System implementation for digital cable, such as
Classified Ads and Bulletin Boards, are supported identically on
IPTV implementations.
Wide Ranging Content Uploadable via Internet to Digital TV VOD
Platform
[0058] In the foregoing description, the uploading, management,
conversion, and display of content uploaded from the Internet for
viewing on a VOD platform was described for an embodiment in which
consumer-generated classified ads and other TV-displayable
information of interest are uploaded via Internet for conversion
and display as video programs on cable TV infrastructure. Even
further, the principles of the invention are applicable to a wide
range of other content uploadable on the Internet and to other
types of digital television service providers such as DSL telephone
lines, local area broadband networks, and wireless broadband
networks. In the following description, another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention is described with respect to
uploading wide ranging content via Internet for viewing on the VOD
platforms of any type of digital TV system.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 4, informational/media content from any
Content Source can be uploaded via Internet to a Digital TV System
for placement on its Video-on-Demand (VOD) Platform to be viewable
as TV programs on Viewers' TVs by selection from an Electronic
Program Guide (EPG) transmitted via the viewer's Set Top Box for
display on the TV. Content is uploaded by an author or publisher to
the Web-based Content Management System 40, which processes the
content through a Content Feed System 42 and Content Conversion
System 43 (from standard digital data formats to TV video format)
to the VOD Content Delivery System 44 where it is stored in its
associated Video Content Database 45 for retrieval upon viewer
request. Uploaded TV programs are offered to viewers by listing
them on the EPG, and upon viewer selection via the Set Top Box, are
delivered via the Digital TV System infrastructure.
[0060] For VOD platforms, an EPG is typically presented to viewers
as a program guide displayed on the TV for finding a title of
interest associated with that particular VOD channel. The EPG
display typically starts with a top level menu offering broad
categories of content, e.g., Movies, Documentaries, TV Shows, News,
Sports, Community Events, Self-Help, Infomercials, etc. The viewer
can cursor through the categories and select a category by moving
the cursor to a desired category title, such as "News", and
clicking the "Select" key on the remote control unit. The EPG then
brings up the next display of subcategories available in the
selected category. For the "News" category, it might display
subcategories of "ABC", "NBC", "CBS", "CNN", "MSNBC", "Anywhere
Reports", etc. Upon selecting "Anywhere Reports", the EPG would
then display the next level of subcategories down, e.g., "San
Francisco", "Los Angeles", "Denver", "Dallas", "Chicago", "Boston",
"New York", "D.C.", etc. This sequence continues until the viewer
selects a program title or exits the EPG.
[0061] The EPGs for VOD "channels" thus use program guide displays
on the TV which are in a structured hierarchy to allow the viewer
to navigate to a program title of interest. Upon selecting the
title, a data return associated with that title is sent from the
set-top box as a request to the VOD platform for the program
associated with that title. The EPG database of the VOD platform
maintains an index linking the program titles to the addresses in
the VOD Content Database 45 where the respective programs are
stored. Upon receiving a request of a program title from the
set-top box, the VOD Content Delivery System 40 retrieves the
corresponding video content from the Database and transmits it on
its broadband network to the set-top box that sent the request.
Advanced VOD platforms also have VCR or DVR-like functions that
enable a viewer to Pause, Play, Rewind, Fast Forward, and Stop a
program using the TV remote control unit.
[0062] As more and more video content is offered on VOD platforms
of digital TV systems, it may be desirable to dynamically adjust
the EPG displays of categories, subcategories, and titles for each
viewer so as to minimize the number of remote control keypresses
needed to navigate to a program title of interest. Such a system is
disclosed in a concurrent continuation-in-part U.S. Patent
Application by the same inventor, entitled "Dynamic Adjustment of
Electronic Program Guide Displays Based on Viewer Preferences for
Minimizing Navigation in VOD Program Selection", which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0063] In the present invention, the EPG hierarchical display
structure used in VOD platforms is used as a form of "hierarchical
addressing" that uniquely allows viewer navigation to and
identifies a program title of interest. This EPG hierarchical
addressing scheme can be represented as a string of category term,
subcategory term(s), and title that together (as a string delimited
by standard character delimiters) uniquely identifying each program
offered on the EPG channel. In FIG. 4, for example, the EPG address
for a program title on the VOD channel might be represented with a
TV (EPG) address as:
[0064] TV: /News/Anywhere Reporting/New York/Financial/"Live from
NYSE by Jim Cramer"
[0065] The uploaded content may be of any digital media type and
come from any web-based source. For the TV viewing environment,
content accompanied by video images and voice and/or sound is
preferred for presentation as entertainment or recreational
viewing. Such content can be generated ubiquitously from any PC
computer by an author or publisher using a video or webcam for
images and a microphone for audio. The media streams may be edited
and composed with a multimedia program, such as Microsoft
Windows.TM. Media, Apple Quicktime.TM., Macromedia Flash.TM., and
others. Similarly, the content may already be composed as a video
program and posted on a website as a downloadable video program via
a web link or other URL address. For example, websites like
YouTube.com, Brightcove.com, and others have become very popular by
offering thousands of self-published video programs by
nonprofessional authors and publishers for viewing on the Internet.
Such video content may also be uploaded from digital media devices
such as iPod.TM. Video sold by Apple Computer Corp. on which it has
already been downloaded from a website. It may also be uploaded
from digital phone devices such as iPhone.TM. sold by Apple which
has an on-board camera for video and microphone for sound.
[0066] The term "Internet" is intended to include any wide area
digital network or network of networks connecting a universe of
users via a common or industry-standard (TCP/IP) protocol. Users
having a connection to the Internet commonly connect browsers on
their computing terminal or device to websites that provide
informational content via web servers. The Internet can also be
connected to other networks using different data handling protocols
through a gateway or system interface, such as wireless gateways
using the industry-standard Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) to
connect Internet websites to wireless data networks. Wireless data
networks are being deployed worldwide and allow users anywhere to
connect to the Internet via wireless data devices.
[0067] The Digital TV System in FIG. 4 can be of any type that
supports video-on-demand programming to TV viewers on any suitable
type of VOD platform (infrastructure). While it may be a Cable TV
system as described previously, it may be any type of digital TV
system providing TV services via a high-speed data connection to
the viewer's TV. For example, it may be an Internet Protocol TV
(IPTV) system of the type connected to home subscribers via phone
DSL lines, cable or other high-speed, high-bitrate connections. As
previously described with respect to FIG. 3, the IPTV system can
support video-on-demand TV services to TV viewers on a scale that
cannot be supported by Internet video websites. The Internet is not
an infinitely scalable resource, and placing a burden such as
high-bitrate, high definition, full-screen video streams in any
significant volume can overwhelm the Internet in its present form.
IPTV transmits video programs in digital format using the IP
protocol, but instead of transmitting over common Internet
connections, it transmits over high-speed, high-bitrate connections
that are envisioned to be implemented ultimately as all-fiber
optical "last mile" connection to the home.
[0068] In the present invention, content can be uploaded (manually
or by automatic feed) via the Internet to the Web-based Content
Management System 40 of a Digital TV System and automatically
converted, navigated and selected/displayed on the VOD platform for
viewing on home TV. Automatic navigation, selection and display is
enabled by adopting the same EPG hierarchical addressing scheme
used for the VOD program guide as the addressing metadata
identifying content uploaded on the Internet. When an author or
publisher connects to the Web-based Content Management System 40,
the author or publisher selects the category term, subcategory
term(s) and title by which it is desired to find the program title
in the TV EPG display hierarchy. Thus, when the above-mentioned
example of a video program is uploaded, the hierarchical address
for that program would be selected as:
[0069] TV: /News/Anywhere Reporting/New York/Financial/"Live from
NYSE by Jim Cramer".
[0070] This hierarchical addressing metadata is associated with or
tagged to the content when uploaded to the Web-based Content
Management System 40, and is carried over into the VOD/EPG
navigation scheme displayed on the TV. By carrying over the
hierarchical address metadata into EPG navigation, the invention
allows the content to be automatically listed in the EPG under the
common addressing scheme to enable viewers to find any program of
interest. The hierarchical addressing string of terms resembles URL
addressing commonly used on the Internet. Thus, Internet users can
readily become familiar with finding TV programs on the VOD EPG
guide due to its resemblance to finding web resources with a URL.
Indeed, in the convergence of Internet and TV worlds, a TV EPG
hierarchical address may be thought of as a URL for a TV
program.
[0071] The uploaded content is converted, as previously described,
into a standard TV digital format, and a "local instance" thereof
is stored at an assigned VID address in the Video Content Database
45 of the VOD platform. The VID address is linked to the metadata
title for the video content listed in the EPG. The hierarchical
address for the title is automatically carried over into the EPG
navigation scheme, and can be found by a viewer cursoring (with the
TV remote control) through the EPG following the same hierarchical
addressing sequence. Upon the subscriber selecting, via a remote
control unit in communication with the set-top box, the title of
the video content from the hierarchically-arranged categories and
subcategories in the EPG, a return request for the selected title
is transmitted to the VOD platform for retrieving the video content
at the linked VID address in the Video Content Database. The
requested video program is then retrieved and transmitted by the
VOD Content Delivery System 44 through the digital TV lines to the
subscriber's set-top box for display on the subscriber's TV.
[0072] By the method of the present invention, the title and
hierarchical address assigned by the publisher of the program is
automatically carried over into the TV electronic program guide
(EPG) following the same hierarchical addressing indicated by the
publisher of the content. The publisher selects categories and
subcategories for categorizing the title of the video content from
the EPG categorization scheme presented by the digital television
service provider for the listing of titles on one of its VOD
channels. With this method, vast numbers of content publishers
anywhere on the Internet can upload their programs with a minimum
of conversion and handling steps by the digital television service
provider. Home TV viewers can then easily use the EPG hierarchical
navigation scheme to find something of interest for viewing.
[0073] Digital TV service providers can thus greatly expand the
content viewable on the VOD platform from studio-generated programs
and canned advertisements to an infinite universe of authors and
publishers connected to upload viewable content to their system via
the Internet. For example, local content can be created and
published by people in a service area's local community--its
independent filmmakers, its college students and professors, its
civic leaders and others--to provide programming for TV. Providing
a vehicle for "citizen content" or "citizen journalism" to be seen
on TV is expected to tap into the boundless resourcefulness and
creativity of the TV audience itself and enable nonprofessionals to
become part of the TV content-creating process.
[0074] Such citizen content creators and journalists can create
content that would otherwise not rise to the level of interest for
studios to create programs for them or be overlooked by larger
media outlets.
[0075] While it may take time for the TV-viewing public to become
comfortable with searching for and viewing programs from a plethora
of new nonprofessional content, an intermediate stage of demand for
nonprofessional content from wide new audiences are the so-called
blogging or podcasting programs that have become popular on the
Internet or by Internet downloading. Such programs are typically
created by an author or publisher that has already achieved popular
recognition through word-of-mouth or user rave reviews. The
equivalent to the blogger or podcaster on the Internet is the
"host" or "celebrity" on the TV. The Host provides a recognized
face on TV and is relied upon by his/her audience to provide
trusted commentary as a filter, reviewer, rater, and/or analyst of
information of value. In the present invention, TV programs created
by whole new cadres of non-studio or non-network Hosts and other
"self-publishers" can be uploaded via Internet for viewing on
TV.
[0076] Besides a single video segment, an uploaded program may
instead be layered in successive hierarchies of segments that can
provide viewers with a "drill-down" experience similar to the
"drill-down" video ad immersion experience described previously.
For example, in FIG. 5, a hosted video blog show has a Host in a
presentation segment (topmost in hierarchy) presenting a topic,
such as "Live from NYSE, by Jim Cramer". The Host can then direct
viewers to click on an on-screen menu of choices to select more
detailed topical segments, for example, Key "A" for "S&P 500",
Key "B" for "NASDAQ", and Key "C" for "Commodities Markets". Upon
clicking on Key "B" for "NASDAQ", the VOD system retrieves the
video segment "/Live from NYSE by Jim Cramer/NASDAQ" and displays
that video segment to the viewer. The topical segment may have
other layers of subtopical segments, for example, Key "A" for
"/Feature: Apple Computer", Key "B" for "/Feature: Google", and Key
"C" for "/Feature: Microsoft", and so on. As a preferred mode of
implementation, the hierarchical video segments are presented and
linked in templatized VOD displays, as previously described with
respect to FIG. 1C, with the menu of options displayed as buttons
on the template frame. In the same manner, the Host can also serve
to link the viewer to other Host programs or other VOD-listed
programs by an on-screen menu of options selectable by keys on the
remote control unit.
[0077] As an added feature, the above-described VOD EPG with titles
categorized in the hierarchical addressing scheme of categories and
subcategories can be configured to enable a viewer to store
bookmarks for desired VOD-listed TV programs for viewing again or
sharing with friends. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the logic
flow for using an EPG to enable a viewer to store TV bookmarks for
desired VOD-listed TV programs. In Step 601, the viewer selects
(highlights) a video content title in the EPG to be bookmarked and
enters the key for the on-screen option "Store Bookmarks". In Step
602, a prompt requests the viewer to enter a previously registered
Personal Identification Number (PIN) identifying that user, and
upon the user entering the PIN number and pressing the "Select" or
"Enter" key, the VOD system checks to validate the user's PIN with
the registered users for that set top box address.
[0078] Upon validating the user, in Step 603, a menu of options is
displayed, from which the viewer can select "Bookmark it now".
Other options include B: "Send TV Friend, C: "Related Programs",
and D: "Bibliographic Information". Option B: "Send TV Friend is
discussed further below. Option C: "Related Programs" is an option
where the VOD system can suggest titles related to the one
highlighted by the viewer for browsing for further interest. Option
D: "Bibliographic Information" allows the viewer to read background
information on the highlighted title. Upon bookmarking, in Step
604, the VOD system confirms the bookmark by displaying the latest
bookmarked title at the top of the list of bookmarked titles
entered by the user. Other options are presented for the viewer to
manage the list of bookmarks, such as A: "Play", B: "Delete", C:
"Clear All", D: "Send to Net" (described further below).
[0079] In order to provide functionality to share video programs
with a friend, the VOD system can also enable a viewer to share
bookmarks with a friend who is also a TV subscriber in the same
service area of the digital TV service provider. FIG. 7 is a
diagram illustrating an example of sharing TV bookmarks with other
subscribers via an on-screen Contact List maintained for the
viewer. In Step 603 of FIG. 6, the viewer can select option "B" to
"Send TV Friend", and the VOD system in Step 701 displays options
for selecting the viewer's TV friends to receive bookmarks,
including A: Select from directory, B: Select from Contact List
returns, and C: Select Group.
[0080] If option "A" in Step 701 is selected, the VOD system
displays in Step 702 a directory of subscriber names in that
service area which can be scrolled through using an on-screen
keyboard to input the beginning letters of last names. Upon the
viewer entering the beginning letters of a last name, the directory
jumps to the section listing those names and shows the first names
or User ID names for any previously registered "User A", "User B",
etc., for the bookmarking service. The viewer can then select the
other TV subscriber the bookmark is to be sent to, and then click
option A: "Send" or B: "Add to List & Send". In option "B", the
highlighted name is automatically added to the viewer's Contact
List (see following). If option "B" in Step 701 was selected, the
VOD system displays in Step 703 an alphabetical Contact List of
subscriber names/users previously entered (or automatically added
by sending) by the viewer. The viewer can highlight the friend's
name/user, and click A: "Send". Other options include B: "Delete"
and C: "Add to Groups". If option "C" in Step 701 was selected, the
VOD system displays in Step 704 a listing of Groups (by number)
having individual names/users previously entered by the viewer.
[0081] As a further TV-controlled functionality to share video
programs with a friend, the VOD system can also enable a viewer to
share bookmarks with other friends and contacts on the Internet.
This requires traversing the boundary between the digital TV
service and the Internet. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an
example of sharing TV bookmarks with others online by transmission
of bookmark data to the viewer's email address. If the viewer
selected option "D" in Step 701 of FIG. 7, the VOD system displays
a list of previously entered email addresses entered for the
subscriber household, and also an input box for a new or changed
email address. Upon highlighting or entering the intended email
recipient and clicking "Send" in Step 801, the request from the
viewer's set top box is returned to the Digital TV System and
routed to the Web-based Content Management System 40 or other
web-based server with Internet connectivity for sending the TV
bookmark(s) to the indicated email address which is received and
accessed on the recipient's PC or other email-enabled device.
[0082] Going from Internet to the TV, in Step 802, a PC user can
share TV bookmarks received by email on the PC with other contacts
and friends whose email addresses are maintained in an address book
or contact list on that person's email client. The PC user can also
send TV bookmarks found in searching a website for program listings
offered by the Digital TV System to their own Viewer Bookmarks
file(s) or to those of other TV subscribers. The PC user simply
logs on via Internet to the Web-based Content Management Server 40
for the Digital TV System and selects an option to send the TV
bookmark(s) to the Viewer's Bookmark file(s) 604 for that person's
subscriber name/user, or to the name/user of any other TV
subscriber.
[0083] The capability for Internet uploading and automatic listing
in any VOD EPG opens VOD programming in digital TV systems to
greatly expanded audiences of non-studio, non-professional video
authors and publishers. The new publishers also become new viewers,
reviewers, commentators, and celebrities to accelerate the "network
effect" of expanded viewing on TV. The digital TV service provider
can charge smaller but greatly multiplied VOD program placement
fees to the new audiences of non-studio, non-professional video
authors and publishers. Programs that rise above the crowd due to
popularity may attract advertising and sponsorships placements that
provide additional revenues for the digital TV service provider and
the publisher. With fixture expansion of VOD "channel" capacity,
the system can be opened to broad masses of "citizen" publishers.
Popular "blogs", "themes", "social networks", or "knowledge
networks" created on VOD channels may attract advertising and
sponsorships to the digital TV service provider. The placement fees
charged for the broad masses of other programs may be reduced or
enhanced by "carve backs" funded by automatic digital ad insertions
or "pre-rolls" inserted before the program and paid to the
publisher. The digital TV service provider can provide value-added
services to publishers justifying program placement fees or
revenue-sharing of paid advertising by maintaining "dynamic
accounts" for publishers tracking number of views, popularity,
length of placement, paid advertising spots, carve back payments,
etc. Expanded VOD viewing also can generate additional revenue
streams for the digital TV service provider from viewers through
gigabyte download fees or by "Premium (VOD) Services" (upper viewer
tier) fees.
[0084] The extension of TV VOD programming to citizen publishing,
and the convergence of Internet searching with sharing of TV
program bookmarks, can also stimulate diverse new content
publishing sources and supporting hardware and equipment in the
converged Internet-TV universe. For example, TV EPGs can be
exported to via Internet to Internet-connected digital devices,
including digital phones, media players, game sonsoles, Video
iPods.TM., PDAs, etc., and conversely, TV bookmarks selected from
EPGs on the Internet can be imported back into the viewer's "MyEPG"
or "MyVideoLibrary" for their TV through the Web-based Content
Management System. This would enable people to freely select, save,
bookmark, and share TV programs with friends and contacts between
their TV viewing environment and their daily mobile or
away-from-home environments. Internet-connected DVRs, such as those
sold by TiVo, or virtual DVRs offered by the digital TV service
provider can also connect Internet searching and bookmark sharing
to the viewer's "MyEPG" or "MyVideoLibrary" for VOD program
viewing.
[0085] In the above description, a VOD "channel" is a term commonly
used for the mechanism by which users access and view VOD content.
"Channel" historically refers to linear broadcast channels, and VOD
by definition is a non-linear, on-demand experience. When a user
accesses a VOD "channel" on a digital television system, they are
accessing a digital "virtual channel", where the tuning of the
channel number triggers the digital set top box to load and execute
an interactive application that is presented on the television.
This application will present the categories, subcategories and
titles of VOD content that is available for viewing. The user
navigates through the application using the remote control,
traversing the hierarchy used to organize the VOD content. When the
user selects a VOD title for playback, the digital VOD content is
transmitted from a VOD server to the set top box using a dedicated
data stream. The actual mechanisms for transmission vary for
different digital television system technologies, but in all cases
the stream is unicast to the specific set top box. The set top box
receives and decodes the data stream and presents the VOD content
on the television. A digital television system can support many VOD
"channels", where each "channel" is an interactive application that
offers VOD content that has been grouped together by topic,
sponsor, content producer or other attributes. As available
bandwidth increases in digital television systems, there will be an
increase in quantity of the VOD "channels" available to the user,
as content producers migrate from the linear broadcast format to
the non-linear on-demand format. Correspondingly, as the processing
power of set top boxes increases, combined with greater network
bandwidth, the sophistication of the interactive applications
supporting VOD "channels" will increase, offering enhanced ways for
interacting with the content and the producer, as well as offer
related content and materials, transactions and other methods for
engaging the user more completely with the content.
[0086] It is understood that many modifications and variations may
be devised given the above description of the principles of the
invention. It is intended that all such modifications and
variations be considered as within the spirit and scope of this
invention, as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *